Imagine If: Examine Spiritual Gifts

Me - The greatest gift I can give you is to lead you to examine and exercise your God given spiritual gift. I believe we all have IMAGINE IF moments. Those times when we question if we are really leveraging our lives. One of my first ones came several years ago.

I attended another program on a packed calendar.

Ill - Billy Kline and spiritual gifts

We - IMAGINE IF we examined and exercised our God given spiritual gift. Imagine how that would leverage our lives, our families and our community.

"No local congregation will be what it should be, what Jesus prayed that it would be, what the Holy Spirit gifted it and empowered it to be, until it understands spiritual gifts." John MacArthur

Ill - We don’t need to be like Hetty Green. She died in 16 and left an estate with an estimated value of $100 million dollars. Cold oatmeal. Son leg amputated. She was wealthy but she lived like a PAUPER. She never enjoyed or benefited from the riches she inherited.

When we accepted Jesus as the forgiver of our sins and the leader of our lives we inherited a spiritual gift. We don’t need to neglect it, reject it or trivialize it. We need to discover our gift and exercise it in the context of the local church.

Some of us have never heard of spiritual gifts and you are wondering what your gift is and you can’t wait to examine and exercise you gift.

· Some of us are wearing bunny suits. You’ve starting to serve out of necessity or guilt in a position that is out of your gift mix and it isn’t natural. It just feels weird.

Some of us starting to serve out of necessity or guilt in a position that is out of your gift mix and it isn’t natural. It just feels weird. You feel inadequate or you stop serving and you are reluctant to start serving again.

Some of us have examined and are currently exercising our gifts. Because of that we are moving ourselves and others into a more dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

· Some of us have discovered our gift and we are maturing and making attempts to further God’s glory story.

Ill - Years ago, the great football coach Bud Wilkinson was asked to serve on the President's Council for Physical Fitness. During an interview, a reporter asked him what contribution professional football makes to the physical well being of Americans. His response, "Very little.”

“A professional football game is where 60,000 spectators, desperately in need of exercise, sit in the stands cheering on 22 athletes, desperately in need of rest." - Bud Wilkinson

90% of churches in North America are stagnant or declining. One of the reasons is because the church is not leveraging God given spiritual gifts. A group of spectators, desperately in need of examining and exercising their gift, sit and cheer on paid, professional pastors desperately in need of rest.

Church is a poor spectator sport. It’s not God’s intention. Imagine with me a church where everyone that is saved served. Imagine a church examining biblical information about gifts, a church where people examined and exercised their spiritual gift.

God - This study lines up with God’s desire for us at BCC. He wants us to examine spiritual gifts.

Trans - Imagine if every Christ follower examined and exercised their spiritual gift.

3 UNDERSTANDINGS

1 Corinthians 12:1 NIV

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

Billy Cline - Spiritual Gifts & Imagine If

1. Gifts Frame God’s Design

ex: Paul - don’t miss out of leveraging your life.

The main references concerning GIFTS can be found in other epistles or letters to the early churches.

, , &

(Show NT breakdown)

Spiritual Gift = A gift given by God at salvation that builds up the church while building up the believer.

Spiritual = things characterized or controlled by the Spirit.

Gifts are a spiritual thing.

Gifts = things not earned or deserved as a result of the grace of God.

Gifts are a God thing!

Trans - Imagine if every Christ follower examined and exercised their spiritual gift.

2. Gifts Fulfill God’s Desire

Ill - Lego Block.

1 Peter 4:10–11 NLT

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

God have a deep desire for you to examine and exercise your gift.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NLT

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

As your pastor I have a deep desire to equip you to examine and exercise your gift.

Ill - Lego Block. Everyone should have received a Lego block before service. (Various sizes & shapes) (I’ve got a request of you: Build something with your Lego blocks, but I only have one rule. . . you cannot use anybody’s else’s Lego block.) Now, what can you build with one Lego? (NOTHING!) Some have received big blocks, others small blocks. . .but still can’t build anything by yourself. When you add these large & small blocks together, you can build great things! You choose your Lego when you walked in. You don’t get to choose your spiritual gift. God chose it for you!

Ill - Lego Block.

1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT

11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

The scriptures are clear that every believer has at least one specific gift. The benefit of being able to specifically identify your gift is that it can make you more effective as you study how to better develop that gift and relate to and understand others better.

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exhortation giving leadership mercy prophecy service teaching

1 Corinthians 12 NLT

Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

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1 Corinthians 12 NLT

Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

1 COR

administration apostle discernment faith healing helps knowledge miracles prophecy teaching tongues tongues interpretation wisdom

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apostle evangelism pastor prophecy teaching

MISC PASSAGES

celibacy

craftsmanship

creative artsencouragement hospitality martyrdom missionary poverty

creative arts

encouragement hospitality martyrdom missionary poverty

This list is not like a Amazon Search where you study and scroll through the pages of the Bible and decide what gift you want. Your gift has already been given and I want you to identify that gift and study how you can be most effective and how to interrelate that gift with others.

Trans - Imagine if every Christ follower examined and exercised their spiritual gift.

3. Gifts Focus God’s Disciples

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 NIV

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Romans 12:3–8 NLT

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

v. 3 Don’t allow the person to become bigger than the gift. Manage the tension between the CAN & CAN NOT. If I think I’m God’s gift to the church and the church CAN NOT function without me it’s dangerous. If I think that the church CAN function without me and my gift it is also dangerous. There are no heroes except Jesus!

v. 4-5 We are not all the same. That is OK. If we don’t have mutual submission then we start to think we are better than other people. That is what my body does. My foot is not my mouth. The foot and the mouth have different functions. My mouth submits to my feet and my feet submit to my mouth.

v. 6-8 Paul list seven service gifts...

Seven Service Gifts Examined

1. Prophecy

The special ability to proclaim and stand for God's truth in the face of confusion or disobedience and in a way that leads to correction, repentance or encouragement.

2. Serving

The ability to meet the physical and practical needs of people in or outside of the church.

3. Teaching

The ability to teach, train, and encourage Christians in the way of Christ with clarity and faithfulness to the Bible.

4. Encourage

The unique ability to comfort, strengthen, and challenge those faced with significant choices or actions.

5. Giving

The ability to contribute significant material wealth, time, or talents to support ministries of Christ and the church.

6. Leading

The unique ability to motivate, equip, and direct others.

7. Mercy

The ability to express deep concern and loving compassion toward people who are discouraged, mistreated, or just plain down and out, even if as a result of their own choices.

What about “sign” gifts?

The sign gifts are miracles, healing and tongues. Paul addresses those gifts with the Corinthian church in chp 12 & 13. The summary would be that these gifts are less profitable than the “service” gifts. That they should be examined and exercised with extreme caution. They tend to be more about self than salvation and our Savior Jesus Christ.

So, at BCC we are going to be open but cautious when it comes to “sign” gifts.

Cessationist View - They believe that the sign gifts have ceased and no longer exist.

Charismatic View -

How do I discover my spiritual gift?

The short answer is to stop sitting and start serving. It is easier to examine your giftedness when you are in motion than when you are not. When you see a need take the lead.

It’s hard to stir a parked car.

If what you are doing is profitable to the church and to you then you are in your giftedness. If that serve is boring and it doesn't make you heart leap then it is not your area of giftedness.

We want you to take a Spiritual Gift Test. Our team at BCC has worked hard creating one for you. Go to brevardcommunity.org/serve and start clicking.

(Screen Shot Of Test)

Before you take this test I want you to get with God and get real. Pray and be honest as you answer the questions in a real way. If it ask, what you response would be if you see someone fall down in public? Be honest! Fix the trip hazard or listen to their personal hurt or go about your business because they should have seen it coming? There is not a right answer put your first reaction. Let me know what your test assessment revealed.

Conc:

Ill – I was doing a two day seminar on gifts in Swannanoa, NC and a elderly lady came up to me said she had never taken a gift assessment. She then informed me that she had been serving the Lord for 40 yrs as Billy Grahams personal librarian she great joy and fulfillment. She held a gift inventory in her hand and said she would let me know tomorrow what the results were. The next day she came up with a smile on her face and revealed that her assessment results were Administration & Hospitality. I’m so glad she didn’t turn in a letter of resignation because some assessment revealed some other gifts.

Exodus 18

Exodus 18 NLT

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt. Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in. (Moses’ first son was named Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” His second son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”) Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God. Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.” So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent. Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians. “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.” Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence. The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves. Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.

IMAGINE IF every person at BCC examined and exercised their spiritual gift. We would be framed to God’s design, we would fulfill God’s desire and be focused disciples.

I can’t wait to hear your leveraged life stories after you examine or reexamine your spiritual gift.

Next Move Prayer: Will you commit to a NEXT MOVE today. I desire to see you move into a more dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. TAKE GIFT TEST

Imagine what your life will look like if…

Prayer for those that made this commitment. Pray through the Truths.

First Move Prayer: For some of you your NEXT MOVE into a more dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ will be a FIRST MOVE. If you’ve never asked Jesus to be the forgiver of your sins and the leader of your life I want to give you that opportunity today. Sinner’s prayer. Repeat.

Would you lift your hand right now and say, “I asked Jesus to be the forgiver of my sins and the leader of my life.”

Let’s celebrate these NEXT MOVES and these FIRST MOVES.

SHAPE Eph 2:10

Spiritual Gifts

Billy Graphams Sec

Lego Block

Next Move - test and examine your gift

Imagine If: Examine Spiritual Gifts

Intro: