THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

Introduction

In we are given a list of 7 spiritual gifts. (There are other such lists: ; ; ). These 7 spiritual gifts are followed by 7 admonitions in . Therefore, the 7 admonitions in correlates with the 7 spiritual gifts in . We will examine these spiritual gifts and their corresponding admonitions.

The 7 spiritual gifts in are followed by 7 admonitions in . In other words, correlates with . As we examine the spiritual gifts in verses 6-8, we will also exam their corresponding admonition in verses 9-15.

The 7 spiritual gifts in are followed by 7 admonitions in . In other words, correlates with . As we examine the spiritual gifts in verses 6-8, we will also exam their corresponding admonition in verses 9-15.

PROPHECY

“Prophecy” is speaking by divine utterance. It means to speak by inspiration or by a sudden revelation from God ().

Prophecy can involve prediction or revealing some future event ().

Prophecy occasionally involves prediction or revealing some future event ().

Prophecy is NOT for guidance (). Instead, prophecy is primarily for exhortation, edification and comfort ()

Prophecy is primarily for exhortation, edification and comfort ()

Note: Having the gift of prophecy does not make one a prophet. Prophets hold an office in the Church (leadership). Everyone with a gift does not hold and office.

We must prophesy in lovewithout hypocrisy ( Message Bible). There’s a temptation to "fake it” when prophesying.

Those who exercise the gift of prophecy must do so without “dissimulation” or hypocrisy. There’s a temptation when exercising the gift of prophecy to impress and overdo it rather than speak sincerely (according to the grace/faith that has been given to us).

Those who exercise the gift of prophecy must do so without “dissimulation” or hypocrisy. There’s a temptation when exercising the gift of prophecy to impress and overdo it rather than speak sincerely (according to the grace/faith that has been given to us).

Remember to judge (). All prophecy is not from God. Men can speak from their spirit (, ) or from evil spirits ().

Secondly, there’s a temptation to attach too much authority to the words of prophecy/a prophet. We must “judge” prophecy, by rejecting the evil and holding to the good (). It’s possible to speak from your spirit () or from familiar spirits ().

Secondly, there’s a temptation to attach too much authority to the words of prophecy/a prophet. We must “judge” prophecy, by rejecting the evil and holding to the good (). It’s possible to speak from your spirit () or from familiar spirits ().

MINISTRY

“Ministry” is the ability to serve others by performing certain duties.

The service rendered by this gift is often practical and lowly in nature ().

Those with this gift must remember to serve with “kind affection” (a). This is the kind of devotion one is has towards family members.

The words “kindly affection” means family devotion. It’s the kind of loyal devotion one is likely to have towards family members (continual support/service at no charge). Therefore, were to minister to the saints as we would our own family.

Those with this gift must remember to “prefer one another” (). In other words, they are expected to “ministry” (serve) above the norm and, thus, be an example of service.

Those with this gift must serve to give honor, and not to receive honor (). Those who do this, receive promotion ().

They are also commanded to do this “in honor;” that is, serving to give honor/respect, and not to receive honor/respect ()! No servant should serve with their eye on gaining honor or respect from others ().

Our service will often lead to promotion (). We can “purchase to ourselves” a “good degree” or rank. That rank could be serving spiritual things rather than natural things!

GIFT OF TEACHING

“Teaching” is the ability to expound and communicate God’s Word.

This gift is often combined with the pastoral gift (). However, not everyone with the gift to teach is a pastor!

Note: The teaching gift also works closely with the prophetic gift (). Prophecy sets on fire what teaching enlightens. Both balance each other out.

This gift is intended especially for those who already believe (). They “water” what has been planted and “build” on foundation that’s been laid (, ).

This gift is to help those who already believe (). They “water” what has been planted and “build” on foundation that’s been laid (, ).

Since this gift involves knowledge (and knowledge puffs up), those with this gift must remain humble or teachable ().

This gift is often combined with the pastoral gift (). However, not everyone with the gift to teach is a pastor!

Teachers help those who already believe (). They “water” what has been planted and they “build” upon foundation that has already been laid (, ).

This gift is intended especially for those who already believe (). They “water” what has been planted and “build” on foundation that’s been laid (, ).

Those with this gift must never be “slothful” or "lacking in zeal” (). In other words, teachers should be doers of the word ()!

Teachers mustn’t be “slothful” or be lacking in zeal (). Those with the gift to teach should never themselves be lacking the “activity” to do the word ()!

GIFT OF EXHORTATION

“Exhortation” is the ability to encourage men to act on what they’ve learned.

Exhortation always follows teaching (). Exhorters “call” men to act, in a practical way, on the things they’ve learned from teachers.

Churches that have exhortation but no teaching, will have zeal (be active) but will either burn out (because they have no depth of understanding of what they’re doing) or they will work the wrong way. Churches that have teaching but no exhortation, will become stagnate or lukewarm because they never act on what they receive ()!

Barnabas “exhorted” the believers at Antioch to live out what they had received from the Apostles.

Note: Churches that have teaching but lack exhortation, will become stagnate because they lack the zeal to act on what they have received ()!

Churches that have exhortation but no teaching, will have zeal (be active) but will either burn out (because they have no depth of understanding of what they’re doing) or they will work the wrong way. Churches that have teaching but no exhortation, will become stagnate or lukewarm because they never act on what they receive ()!

Churches that have exhortation but lack teaching, will soon burn out (because they lack understanding) or they will fall into error (because they lack discernment).

Those given to exhortation must encourage men not to give up on joy, but find it in hope. Also, to encourage men to remain constant (patient) in tribulation! Tribulation is the normal experience of those who act on the word. Some tribulation we experience is that which is common to all people (sickness, death, calamity). Some tribulation is unique to the Christian experience (persecution). Believers must anticipate tribulation and continue (remain constant/disciplined) in spite of it.

To be an exhorter one must “give themselves” to exhortation (). Barnabas was so given to exhortation that the Church gave him the name “son of consolation” ().

Note: To be a good exhorter, one must be devoted to prayer. Consistent prayer produces hope/confidence. Confident hope produces constancy/patience ()! Also, tribulation is present whenever we act, or are about to act, on the word. Tribulation is the setting for all joy, hope, patience and prayer. Therefore, it is the setting for those operating in the gift of exhortation. Those who exhort must encourage men to be joyful, hopeful, patient and prayerful in tribulation. Those with the gift of exhortation have the ability to help men be joyful, hopeful, patient and even prayerful in spite of tribulation (opposition). Exhorters must anticipate opposition and encourage men to continue in spite of it! They encourage joy by directing men to expect (hope for) good. They encourage men not to give up on joy, but get it from hope! There’s something coming that will make it all worth it. Even if you have it good now, if you are not rejoicing in a future hope, then what you are enjoying is an idol.

Also, those who have the gift of exhortation should be joyful in hope (not in results), patience in trials and instant (despite difficulty) in prayer ()! These work together. For example, prayer strengthens faith that produces hope, that makes one joyful in expectation and patient in trouble. Therefore, PRAYER is the key!