Everybody is Somebody in His Body, Part 3
Everybody Is Somebody In His Body Series, Part 3
The Grace Gifts
Pastor E. Keith Hassell
1 Corinthians 12:4 (NKJV) “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”
Romans 12:6-8 (NKJV) “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
1. Diversities of Gifts
a. The Greek word for “gifts” is charismaton (singular charisma, Strong’s G5483), which means “spiritual endowment”
b. Charisma comes from the same root as chara (joy) and chaira (to rejoice). Charis is the Greek word for “grace.”
c. The charismaton (gifts) given by the Holy Spirit as distributed measures of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10).
d. The term “gifts of the Spirit” is sometimes used to describe the “manifestations of the Spirit” listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. However, this term is more accurately applied to the seven grace gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8.
e. We receive the gift of the Spirit when we are born again and baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
2. Grace Gifts (Romans 12:6-8)
a. Also called “Gifts of the Spirit” or “Motivational Gifts”
b. Each of us have gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us
c. We are responsible to use the gift God has given us
d. What are the gifts?
i. Prophecy:
ii. Ministry
iii. Teaching
iv. Exhortation
v. Giving
vi. Leadership
vii. Mercy
3. Critical mistakes to avoid
a. Although each of us is gifted in one of the seven gifts, we are responsible to develop in all of them. Jesus Christ had all seven gifts in operation. As we grow to be like Him we will learn to operate in all seven areas.
b. It is a mistake to try figuring out which gift we have been given and then try to “act” like it
c. It is a mistake to dismiss areas of weakness in our lives by saying, “Well I’m just not gifted in that area!”
d. It is a mistake to use our gift as an excuse not to serve in other areas
e. It is a mistake to divide the body by classifying people according to their gifts
4. The Gift of Prophecy
a. This is not the office of the prophet but the motivational gift of prophecy
b. They like to share truth, regardless of what anyone thinks
c. They are motivated to confront anyone with what they believe is the truth.
d. They often find themselves pointing the way, declaring specific truth, or taking a stand for righteousness
e. They are a powerful tool to reprove, rebuke, and exhort others when controlled by the Holy Spirit
f. In a word they are bold
g. Weakness: Fighting with others
h. Goal: Declare truth without dividing Christians
5. The Gift of Ministry
a. They serve faithfully behind the scenes.
b. They are interested in blessing others in order to serve the Lord.
c. They love to help others.
d. They are motivated by a strong sense of need thinking, “Someone has to do it.”
e. They usually do what no one else likes to do.
f. They usually do whatever is called for.
g. They are flexible and adapt to many challenges.
h. They simply enjoy helping others and meeting needs.
i. They like to be involved.
j. In a word they are selfless.
k. Weakness: Taking on too much
l. Goal: Keep service in balance with other equally important priorities
6. The Gift of Teaching
a. While those with the gift of prophecy like to declare truth, those with the gift of teaching like to explain why it is true
b. They are interested in research and like to dig deep into the details
c. They enjoy presenting what they discover
d. They are often negligent of other needs as they press toward deeper understanding of truth
e. They love to study
f. They sometimes miss the most obvious
g. They stretch the limits of learning
h. They like to set high standards for learning
i. In a word they are in-depth
j. Weakness: Digging too deep
k. Goal: Reveal truth without exhausting it
7. The Gift of Exhortation
a. They find themselves lifting others up
b. They are compelled to give advice
c. As counselors they tend to have steps of action
d. While those with the gift of prophecy like to declare truth and those with the gift of teaching like to explain truth, those with the gift of exhortation like to help people apply truth.
e. They bless others with a strong sense of concern for them.
f. Because of their strong desire to encourage others, they are often sought out as counselors
g. They are friendly, understanding, and practical
h. They enjoy using their communication skills to share specific insights
i. In a word they are an encourager
j. Weakness: Being sought out to meet needs often leads to self glory
k. Goal: Teach lessons rather than focusing on your ability
8. The Gift of Giving
a. They are seriously concerned about financial matters
b. They also have the “gift of getting”
c. They are very sensitive to how money is spent and saved
d. They do not always give to the wheel that squeaks the loudest but to the wheel that truly needs the grease
e. They have true financial insights
f. They serve well on boards responsible for financial budgets
g. They are usually conscientious and conservative
h. They are concerned with wise stewardship
i. In a word they are a steward
j. The weakness of this gift is being consumed with the power of money
k. Goal: Genuine stewardship rather than financial harassment
9. The Gift of Leadership
a. They demonstrate an unusual ability to influence others
b. They seem to have an independent determination to challenge and direct others toward a specific goal
c. They stand out and take stands
d. They tend to be multi-talented excelling with their people with task skills
e. They are often results-oriented and driven
f. They need to guard their strengths
g. They need to be more sensitive and patient with those who don’t respond like they would like
h. They are great motivators
i. In a word they are a dreamer
j. Weakness: Becoming too demanding and impatient
k. Goal: Lead by example and the willingness to be a servant
10. The Gift of Mercy
a. They demonstrate genuine sensitivity to suffering
b. They are compelled to help reduce pain and suffering in people’s lives
c. They are concerned more with the person than with the reason for their suffering
d. They are very sensitive to the feelings of those who are hurt
e. They like to minister to others by “being there” when people need them
f. They are sympathetic (they are moved by another’s pain)
g. They are empathetic (they feel another’s pain)
h. While others may be more concerned with why, what, when or how, they are concerned with “who” needs tender loving care
i. In a word they are caring
j. Weakness: They are too sensitive
k. Goal: Cultivate wise insights rather than foolish responses
11. Illustration #1: A large meal has been prepared for a large family gathering. After the meal the wife goes into the kitchen to bring out the dessert. On the way out she trips and falls spilling the tray of desserts all across the floor. Consider the various gifts in operation:
a. Prophecy: “That’s what happens when you’re not careful!”
i. Motivation: To correct the problem
b. Mercy: “Don’t feel bad. It could have happened to anyone.”
i. Motivation: To relieve embarrassment
c. Server: “Oh, let me help you clean it up.”
i. Motivation: To fulfill a need
d. Teacher: “The reason that it fell is that it was too heavy on one side.”
i. Motivation: To discover why it happened
e. Exhorter: “Next time, let’s serve the dessert with the meal.”
i. Motivation: To correct the future
f. Giver: “I’ll be happy to run to the store and buy another dessert.”
i. Motivation: To give toward a tangible need
g. Leader: “Jim, you get the mop. Sue, please help pick it up. Mary, help me fix another dessert.”
i. Motivation: To achieve the immediate goal of the group
12. Illustration #2: A Christian brother falls sick and is admitted to the hospital. Several of his Christian brothers and sister make a trip together to go see him. Consider the various gifts in operation:
a. Server: “Here’s a little gift. I brought your mail in, fed your dog, and watered your plants and washed your dishes. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
b. Mercy: “I can’t begin to tell you how I felt when I learned you were sick. How do you feel?”
c. Leader: “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve assigned your job to four others in the office.”
d. Prophet: “What is God trying to tell you through this illness? Is there any sin in your life that may have brought this on?”
e. Teacher: “I did some research on your illness and I believe I can explain what’s happening.”
f. Giver: “Do you have insurance that will cover this kind of illness?”
g. Exhorter: “How can we use what you’re learning here to help others in the future?”
13. Illustration #3: The benevolence committee of a church has met to consider paying a $90.00 electric bill of a member. Consider the various gifts in operation:
a. Prophet: “Don’t work, don’t eat.”
b. Exhorter: “I will be glad to counsel with them.”
c. Teacher: “Let me share what the Bible has to say here.”
d. Servant: “I’ll help them get a job.”
e. Giving: “Have they been through a financial freedom course?”
f. Mercy: “Can’t you see that they need help? Just pay the bill.”
g. Leader: “Why don’t we table this meeting until tomorrow. Meanwhile I will assign each one a different thing to do.”