The Spirit-Filled People: Empowered and Equipped for Service
Scripture: Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:8-10, 28; Eph 4:7-11
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Rom 12:3-8)
8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues... 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. (1 Cor 12:8-10, 28)
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers" (Eph 4:7-11)
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Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
I. 9 Motivational Gifts – Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:28
- 1. Prophesying (v.6) – Perceiver
- 2. Serving (v.7) – Server
- 3. Teaching (v.7) – Teacher
- 4. Exhorting (v.8) – Exhorter
- 5. Giving (v.8) – Giver
- 6. Leading (v.8) – Leader
- 7. Mercy (v.8) – Mercy-shower
- 8. Helping (1 Cor. 12:28) – Helper
- 9. Administrating (1 Cor. 12:28) – Administrator
II. 9 Manifestation Gifts - 1 Cor 12:8-10
1. Gifts of Speech (Vocal gifts)
- Tongues
- Interpretation of Tongues
- Prophecy
2. Gifts of Revelation
- A Word of Wisdom
- A Word of Knowledge
- Discerning of Spirits
3. Gifts of Ability (Power)
- Gift of Faith
- Gifts of Healings
- Workings of Miracles
III. 5 Ministry Gifts – Eph 4:7-11
- Apostle
- Prophet
- Evangelist
- Pastor
- Teacher
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Purpose of the Ministry/Leadership Gifts:
- 1. To prepare God’s people for works of ministry/service
- 2. To edify and build up the Church (Body of Christ)
- 3. To draw people to Jesus
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How to start using the spiritual gifts God has bestowed?
1. DISCOVER your gifts
- Read and study about the various gifts
- Find out what are you good at
- Ask your family members or church friends what gifts they see in you
- Try doing different things in church to discover your gifts
2. DEVELOP your gifts and abilities.
How?
- By using them
- By learning more about them
- By learning from other people who have the same gift
3. DEPLOY your gifts
- Deploy = put to good use
- Get involved and use your gifts in the works of the ministry
- Volunteer for different ministries and discern where God is leading you to serve Him
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What must you do?
- Dedicate your life to God wholly
- Ask Him to use you to be a blessing to others
- Use the spiritual gifts He has given you
- Be humble and point people to Jesus
- Give God all the glory
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. (1 Pet 4:10-11)