SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Foundational and General

Memorial Drive 2/16/20 SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Foundational Gifts (Pt. 3) and General Gifts (Pt. 1) Ephesians 4, Rom. 12 Intro – • FOR the work of service • TO the building up of the body • UNTIL we all attain … to a mature man, a stature fitting to display Christ • “by what every joint supplies according to it’s proper working” (Eph. 4;16) … THE FOUNDATIONAL GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT (in Eph. 4:11) “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers …” (Eph. 4:11) Foundational in a unique way to speak and record Scripture! Foundational in equipping others to use their gifts! … THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF PASTORING • THREE WORDS ARE USED To Explain the Breadth of This Gift “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as PASTORS (“poimēn”) and teachers …” (Eph. 4:11) Acts 20:17, 28 Three words used to speak of this ROLE and GIFTING: Elder, Shepherd, Overseer I Peter 5:1-3 Peter used the same three words “Pastor/shepherd, overseer, and elder - They refer to a special gifting and role of giving oversight to a local body of believers in a guarding, protecting, shepherding kind of role. • Every Fellowship Needs To IDENTIFY Those With This Pastoral Gift I Timothy 3:1 It’s a good thing to aspire to this role Titus 1:5 A multiplicity of elders were to be appointed within church fellowships “The gift of pastor is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.” (Your Spiritual Gifts, Wagner, 135) • This Particular Gift Is EXERCISED IN A PARTICULAR ROLE in the Church We believe that men are to be the primary authority and protectors in both the home and family and in the church This isn’t a matter of having EQUALITY BEFORE GOD but rather an evidence of the fact of DIFFERING ROLES both in family life and in God’s family. Hebrews 13;17 Those exercising this role are highly accountable! … THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF TEACHING • This Gift Is SOMETIMES BUT NOT ALWAYS LINKED To the Gift of Pastoring “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers (“pastor-teachers”) …” (Eph. 4:11) I Timothy 3:2 Elders (pastor/shepherds, overseers) must be able to teach • There Are A VARIETY OF MINISTRY AREAS In Which the Gift, Including the Gift of Teaching, Can Be Exercised “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.” (I Cor. 12:4-6) • The Gift of Teaching Is Evidenced Though GENUINE LIFE-CHANGE “The gift of teaching is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to communicate information relevant to the health and ministry of the Body and it’s members in such a way that others will learn.” (Your Spiritual Gifts, Wagner, 120) • The Gift of Teaching Will Be Expressed In Various DEGREES of Effectiveness There are not only varieties of gifts and ministries, but also of effects! … THE GENERAL GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT … THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF EXHORTATION • “Exhort” - The Word Itself - “parakalĕō.” – “to draw near to, come alongside” “to call to” or “implore” • The Gift Defined “The gift of exhortation is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement, and counsel to other members of the Body in such a way that they feel helped and healed.” (ibid, 143) A willingness to pay the price of drawing near, sharing a burden, taking time to empathize with they difficulties and stay the course until help is given! See I Thessalonians 2:10-12 • ALL Christians Are To EXHORT ONE-ANOTHER and Are to Be Willing to BE Exhorted See Hebrews 10:23-25 “Encouraging (exhorting) one another” • SOME Members of the Body Have the a Special, God-Given, Spirit-Empowered Ability to EXHORT WITH GREAT EFFECTIVENESS Do I have the gift of exhortation? ▪ An “enlarged heart” for those who are struggling? ▪ A heightened concern for the spiritual welfare of others? ▪ A willingness to come alongside those others have left behind? Acts 4:36 Barnabas – “Son of Encouragement” Has Christ’s church has really come to understand the amazing wisdom behind God’s giving of spiritual gifts? Do we truly understand that “church” is not primarily about what happens HERE, JUST ON SUNDAY, and FROM FRONT TO BACK?