Spiritual Gifts: What are they?

Possible Definitions

1 Corinthians 12:7

English Standard Version Chapter 12

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good

Spiritual Gift – Any ability that is empowered by the Spirit as a display of the Spirit for the good of the church” – Rick Gamache

What spiritual gifts are not.

What the gifts are NOT for:

· Spiritual ruler/tool to ‘measure spirituality’

· Fulfilment of a super-mystical-experience (where God really shows up) · A means to ‘add on’ to the authoritative revelation of God’s word

· An avenue to glorify oneself

They are not preSENTS.

Why do we need the gifts when we have the inerrant Word of God?

· The gifts put God on display, help us see Christ as glorious and sufficient, and help the church to be occupied with the things of the Spirit. God loves his Church and wants to continue giving tangible reminders of His grace, love, and care for the body.

What they are.

They are the preSENCE of the Holy Spirit in individual believers.

The PRESENCE of the Spirit MANIFESTS in different ways in different believers. But the purpose of the each manifestation is the same — The Glory of Jesus and the good of His bride. ALL spiritual gifts glorify Jesus 1 Corinthians 12:3

“For the upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” [1 Cor 14:3] · “but the one who prophesies builds up the church” [1 Cor 14:4b] so that the church may be built up” [1 Cor 14:5b]

“So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” [ 1 Cor 14:12]

In correcting people’s use of the gifts, Paul writes “For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up” [1 Cor 14:17]

In this closing section of this argument, Paul states, “Let all things be done for the building up” [1 Cor 14:26]

“For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged [1 Cor 14:31]

English Standard Version Chapter 12

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God exalts the Son of God at the pleasure and direction of God the Father.

As such the Spiritual gifts are triune in nature.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

Galatians 5:22-25

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

“If you have the slightest draw to any kind of external service, that is the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in your life…” – Rick Gamache

John 13:35

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

“Love is the infallible measure of the Spirit’s presence and work.” – Jeff Purswell

We must identify the fruit of the Spirit for what they really are when they show up in us—gifts of grace!

1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:3 Any use of the gifts, without love, becomes useless. Paul spends an entire section on the necessity of love in the use of spiritual gifts. “Spirit-filling is also a metaphor describing our continuous, on-going experience and appropriation of the Holy Spirit. To be filled with the Spirit is to come under progressively more intense and intimate influence of the Spirit. Spirit-filling can be forfeited and subsequently experienced yet again, on multiple occasions, throughout the course of the Christian life.” – Sam Storms

"The evidence of the Holy Spirit's empowering presence in us touches all of life...in fact, He is our life...He is our spiritual life...what breath and breathing are to physical life...the Holy Spirit is to our spiritual life… Doing good for someone, is

manifesting God to them." – Rick Gamache

V. How Do I Pursue the Gifts and Earnestly Desire Them?

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. [1 Cor 14:1]

· It is a biblical imperative to pursue the gifts. Paul does not say to be open but very cautious to these gifts, nor does he tell the Corinthians to simply tolerate the gifts. His instruction is not to cancel their use of their gifts, but to correct and earnestly desire them!

· Pursue God. Soak yourself in His Word. We do not pursue these gifts for the sake of the gift, we pursue our glorious God and remain in awe of the beauty of Christ while depending on the Holy Spirit as He empowers us and gives these grace gift.

· We ask, we pray for them, we pray for a desire for them

· Study Romans chapters 8 and 12; 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14; The book of Acts

· Ask questions to people who have an earnestly desire for + actively practice the gifts!

· Read and listen to good teaching on the gifts

“Any public use of the gifts needs to be an overflow of a private pursuit of God” – Mark Prater

Romans12:6-8

1 Corinthians7:7

1 Corinthians12:8-10

1 Corinthians12:28

Ephesians 4:11

1 Peter 4:11

1. Prophecy

2. Serving

3. Teaching

4. Encouraging

5. Contributing

6. Leadership

7. Mercy

1. Marriage

2. Singleness

1. Utterance of wisdom

2. Utterance of knowledge

3. Faith

4. Gifts of healings

5. Miracles

6. Prophecy

7. Distinguishing between spirits

8. Tongues

9. Interpretation of tongues

1. Apostle

2. Prophet

3. Teacher

4. Miracles

5.Gifts of healings

1. Apostle

2. Prophet

3. Evangelist

4. Pastor

5. Teacher

1. Speaking

2. Serving

THE HOLY SPIRIT: GOD’S EMPOWERING PRESENCE

(The following definitions are adapted from Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, chapters 52-53 and The Beginners Guide to Spiritual Giftsby Sam Storms).

A. Word of wisdom: explaining to others a Spirit inspired insight into some aspect of God’s redemptive purposes…and perhaps the illumination of others with the saving power of the gospel.

B. Word of knowledge: a Spirit-empowered ability to gain insights into and explain various aspects of the Christian faith and life, resulting in the instruction and edification of others.

C. Faith: the mysterious surge of confidence which gives a person a certainty and assurance that God is about to act through a word or an action.

D. Gifts of healing: perhaps many different gifts or powers of healing, each appropriate to and effective for its related illness, or each occurrence constituting a distinct gift in its own right.

E. Miracles:any kind of activity where God’s mighty power is evident.

F. Prophecy:

1. Telling others what God has brought to mind.

2. Declaring the current burden or heart of God to his people for the purpose of edification (build up), exhortation (stir up) and consolation (cheer up).

G. Distinguishing of spirits: a special ability to recognize the influence of the Holy Spirit or of a demonic spirit in a person.

H. Tongues:prayer or praise spoken in syllables not understood by the speaker.

I. Teaching:the ability to explain Scripture and apply it to people’s lives.

J. Helps/Serving: the ability to notice the needs of others and the desire and capacity to respond in helpful ways.

K. Administration: the ability to steer, organize, direct and lead people, projects and ministries so that the mission of the church is carried out.

L. Exhortation: the ability to speak to others in a way that magnifies God and results in them experiencing comfort, encouragement, inspiration, and strengthening.

M. Leadership: the ability to guide and direct the church in such a way that God is glorified, the church is unified and the church’s mission is accomplished.

N. Showing mercy: the ability to identify with the emotions and feelings of others and to aid those in need or distress.